In very marked contrast to most other medical procedures, the inflation-adjusted cost of an abortion has remained relatively stable over time, despite increased restrictions and a decline in demand. In fact, abortion providers have maintained lower than average fees for care compared with physicians in other specialties. Many clinicians provide this care because they know the difference it can make in a woman’s life.

I don’t need an appointment to have an abortion.prochoice2014-03-29T01:38:50+00:00

I can end a pregnancy on my own by taking castor oil, consuming large amounts of alcohol, taking scalding baths, taking mega-doses of Vitamin C, taking a higher dose of birth control pills or other over-the-counter medication.prochoice2014-09-09T22:48:28+00:00

Trying to end a pregnancy by self-aborting can be very dangerous to your life, health, and ability to have children in the future. You may injure yourself or die if you attempt to self-abort. Call the NAF Hotline 1-800-772-9100 for help and learn about the safe options available to you.

I cannot get pregnant immediately after having an abortion.prochoice2014-03-29T01:38:21+00:00

It is possible to get pregnant right after an abortion, even before you have had a period. To prevent a pregnancy, talk to your provider about birth control methods that you can use immediately after an abortion.

I need to have an abortion because my mother/partner/friends want me to.prochoice2014-03-29T01:38:03+00:00

Your parents, partner, or friends may influence your feelings about having an abortion, however, the decision to have an abortion is yours. If you are feeling pressure to have an abortion, talk to clinic staff about your concerns.

All religions and religious people oppose a woman’s right to choose.prochoice2014-03-29T01:37:52+00:00

More than one-third of women in the United States will have an abortion before age 45. Women who have abortions come from all walks of life. Some of them got pregnant while using birth control. Some are survivors of sexual assault. They are all ages and all races.

Women get pregnant under a variety of circumstances and each has different reasons for having an abortion.

Women who have abortions have a higher rate of breast cancer.prochoice2014-09-09T22:52:36+00:00

In February 2003, the National Cancer Institute convened a symposium of over 100 of the world’s leading experts who study pregnancy and the risk of breast cancer. They concluded that having an abortion does not increase a woman’s subsequent risk of developing breast cancer. A summary of their findings can be found on the American Cancer Society website.

Women who have abortions have emotional problems afterwards.prochoice2014-09-09T22:53:15+00:00

The most reliable indicator of whether a woman will experience feelings of distress after an abortion is her emotional stability before the abortion. Women indicate that the most common feeling after the completion of an abortion is relief. While some women also experience a sense of loss, sadness, or grief, having an abortion is not associated with long-term psychological distress.

Abortion is much more dangerous than childbirth.prochoice2014-09-09T22:54:28+00:00

Yes. State laws, a woman’s individual medical circumstances, and the availability of providers can all impact the accessibility of abortion care. Call the NAF Hotline referral line 1-877-257-0012 for more information on the gestational limits in your state or for help finding a provider.

Is there a difference between the morning-after pill and the abortion pill?prochoice2014-09-09T23:00:21+00:00

Yes. The morning-after pill (also known as Emergency Contraception, EC, Preven, or Plan B) prevents pregnancy and does not cause an abortion. It prevents fertilization of an egg or attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterine wall. The abortion pill (also known as RU-486, medical abortion, Mifeprex®, or mifepristone) terminates an already established pregnancy when used in combination with another medication.

Medical and aspiration abortion are both safe and effective methods to end a pregnancy. Neither is better than the other. The process involved is different. Some women will prefer one over the other and some women might have medical conditions that would result in her provider recommending one over the other.

Some private physicians offices choose to offer the abortion pill so you should check with your practitioner’s office to see if they do. If they do not offer the abortion pill, call the NAF Hotline for assistance in finding a medical abortion provider.

The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers. Our work supports the dedicated health care professionals who make reproductive choice a reality, as well as the women they serve.